Chapter 7

What should I even do here? That annoying monkey ruined my time outside! Well, I guess it's just for now since I don't have school yet. But how do they even live like this? They have everything—lots of money, plenty of cars, living in a mansion. It's like their lives are so easy that there's no thrill left. What problems do rich people even have?

She lay on her bed, her eyes wandering around the room as random thoughts filled her mind. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep.

By the time she woke up, it was already five in the afternoon. She got up and headed out of her room.

I'm hungry. Would it be embarrassing to go to the kitchen? But embarrassment won't get me anywhere—if I let it stop me, I'll just end up starving.

She walked straight to the kitchen, relieved that Doña Estrella's grandsons weren't around.

She found two maids inside.

"Señorita, it's good that you're awake! I've been knocking on your door earlier, but you didn't respond. I was going to bring you a snack," one of them greeted her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have been sleeping deeply. I actually came down because I was feeling hungry," she replied.

"I knew it! You looked like you were sleeping soundly. Take a seat, Señorita. I'll prepare something for you," the maid said.

"Oh, no need. I can get it myself. I don't want to trouble you," she protested.

"We can't allow that, Señorita. We'd get scolded if we didn't do our jobs properly," the maid insisted.

"Ah… okay then," Deanna finally agreed, though she still felt a little embarrassed.

"The chef prepared some delicious food. I'm sure you'll love it, Señorita," the maid said as she placed a plate in front of her.

"They do look delicious," she admitted. The food was different from what she was used to. Back in the province, a simple meal of sweet potatoes and water was enough for her merienda.

"Go ahead and eat, Señorita. I'll leave you to it," the maid said.

"Aren't you going to eat too?" Deanna asked.

"No, Señorita. We already had our merienda earlier," the maid replied.

"Ah, okay," she said before focusing on her meal.

She was enjoying the food, taking bite after bite, when someone suddenly cleared their throat in front of her. She almost choked in surprise.

It was Claude. He smirked at her.

"You're so annoying!" she snapped at him.

"Oh? What did I do?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"You scared me! You just appeared out of nowhere," she said.

He just grinned and grabbed a bottle of wine, placing it on the table before sitting across from her.

Seriously? Instead of food, he's having wine for merienda? Is he weird, or is he just an alcoholic?

"Why are you looking at me like that? You want some?" he teased.

She made a face and shook her head. "Don't you have anything better to do? And seriously, is that your idea of a snack?"

"Yeah," he replied nonchalantly.

"Doesn't Grandma scold you for drinking?"

"Nope. She doesn't know," he admitted.

"Ah, so you're taking advantage of that," she pointed out.

"It's not about taking advantage. I just want to forget and be happy," he said.

"Since when did alcohol become a solution for forgetting and happiness?" she asked.

"Every time I drink," he answered.

"Just drink then. Your answers are messing with my head," she muttered.

"Don't ask me questions if you won't understand the answers," he shot back.

"Well, your answers don't even make sense. By the way, where are your parents?" she asked, changing the subject.

He took a deep breath before answering, "They're gone."

"Oh… I'm sorry. But what happened?"

"You don't need to know," he said bluntly.

What's with this family and their secrets? "Okay."

She decided not to press him further, sensing that there was something deeper he didn't want to talk about.

"Is the school you go to near here?" she asked instead.

"Hmm. It's a bit far. Why?"

"So, you never walk to school?"

"I ride my motorcycle," he replied.

"Ahh, do you and your brother go together?"

"Nope. He has his own motorcycle. Why? Are you worried about how you'll get to school?"

"Ah, no, not really."

"Don't worry. You can ride with me," he offered, winking at her.

She grimaced. "No, thanks. I'd rather walk."

He smirked. "Suit yourself. But I'm sure the driver will take you, so don't worry."

"I'm not worried. Back in the province, I had to walk really far just to get to school. I had to wake up super early just to avoid being late," she shared.

"Really? Then maybe I should tell Grandma you'll just walk to school from now on," he said, grinning mischievously.

Is he serious? What if the university is really far? I'd be panting like a tired dog by the time I get there!

"Are you for real? Why would I walk when I can take a car?"

He smirked. "I'm just kidding. Of course, Grandma won't let you go through that trouble."

"Hmm, I figured. But don't you get tired of this kind of life?" she suddenly asked.

"I'm used to it. Why?"

"I just feel like life here has no thrill. You don't have to worry about anything—food, money, everything is provided for," she said.

"That's just what you think. You'll realize a lot of things once you've been here longer."